Teacher Resources
Newburgh
This lesson uses the Newburgh Conspiracy to introduce students to civil-military relations and the challenge of keeping military force subordinate to civilian authority. Students examine why Continental Army officers had legitimate grievances, what the anonymous Newburgh letters proposed, and how Washington's response prevented a crisis. The lesson asks students to evaluate Washington's argument — not just accept it — and to consider what the episode reveals about the relationship between military service, political obligation, and the promises a republic makes to those who defend it.
Grade Range
6-8
Duration
2-3 class periods
Included
3 Resources
What's Included
Everything
You Need
- 5 primary sources with analysis prompts
- Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
- 3 printable handouts
Lesson Overview
This lesson uses the Newburgh Conspiracy to introduce students to civil-military relations and the challenge of keeping military force subordinate to civilian authority. Students examine why Continental Army officers had legitimate grievances, what the anonymous Newburgh letters proposed, and how Washington's response prevented a crisis. The lesson asks students to evaluate Washington's argument — not just accept it — and to consider what the episode reveals about the relationship between military service, political obligation, and the promises a republic makes to those who defend it.
Essential Questions
- What does a republic owe to the soldiers who fight for it? What happens when it fails that obligation?
- Why is military subordination to civilian government important even when the civilian government has failed its commitments?
- What made Washington's argument work when a written resolution would not have?
Primary Sources
5 Sources for Analysis
PRIMARY · TIER1
General Orders from Newburgh Headquarters, 1782-1783
Library of Congress, George Washington Papers
View SourcePRIMARY · TIER1
Washington's Address to the Officers of the Army (Newburgh Address), March 15, 1783
Library of Congress
View SourceSECONDARY · TIER1
Eagle and Sword: The Federalists and the Creation of the Military Establishment in America, 1783-1802
Free Press (Richard H. Kohn)
INSTITUTIONAL · TIER1
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
View SourcePRIMARY · TIER1
Continental Army Disbandment Orders and Furlough Documents, 1783
National Archives and Records Administration
Lesson Plan
In the Classroom
Learning Objectives
- 1Explain why Continental Army officers had legitimate grievances against Congress in early 1783
- 2Analyze what the Newburgh addresses proposed and why it threatened republican government
- 3Evaluate Washington's argument at the March 15 meeting and explain why it was effective
- 4Assess what the conspiracy reveals about the relationship between military service and civic obligation
Assessment
Newburgh in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
What makes Newburgh significant in Revolutionary history?
multiple choice
Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
true false
Name one event that occurred in Newburgh during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
short answer
+ 2 more questions in the full packet
Ready to Print?
The full teacher packet includes cover page, lesson plan, all primary source worksheets, quiz, answer key, and standards alignment — formatted for classroom printing.